Fleas Aim To Please

Tu Tram Pham

On a rainy Saturday night at Puces Pop Montreal, spectators gathered at Canadian Grenadier Guards Armoury to witness new designers emerging on the scene. About 200 to 300 people crowded over the tiny stage:six designers were competing for the event’s Young Designers Award and a $2000 prize.

The show started one and a half hours late, with the MC quickly introducing each designer. Each collection had about 7 different looks, far fewer than the normal 30-something collection, but we are of course, at a DIY event.

The list includes Anomal Couture, Beata Dirycz, Eugenia Designs, NaMoDa, White Label and Minnow. Styles ranged from floral patterned loose blouses, a turquoise and peacock lingerie dress, sleeves forming circular shapes at the underarms, and long black ruffled gowns. Among the more shocking designs was a risqué, see-through black sheer one piece lingerie that covered all the goodies in the right spot. 1950 inspired bathing suits came in various splashes of color and patterns, including a teeny, tiny, white and red plaid boxer-brief suit for men.

Though the show stretched past 45 minutes, fashion talent is not lacking at Puces Pop. Here, we are at the little leagues; therefore we can only hope that these young designers can take it to the World Series.